What is mental health?

The term 'mental health' refers to your sense of wellbeing. Good mental health allows you to cope with life's challenges. Poor mental health can make it difficult to cope with day-to-day life.

Why is good mental health important?

Your mental health affects how you think, feel and behave.

Looking after your mental health is as important as looking after your physical health. Good mental health helps you:

• appreciate and enjoy life
• deal with life's challenges
• form and maintain positive relationships
• reach your potential

Many people experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. But if things don't seem to get better, it could be a sign of a mental illness.

What things can affect mental health?

A number of factors can negatively affect your mental health, such as:

• prolonged stress, including work-related stress
• physical health problems
• ageing
• negative self-talk and low self-esteem
• biological factors, such as genetics and hormones
• feeling isolated
• ongoing poor diet

Other experiences that can impact your mental health include:

• bullying and harassment
• alcohol and drug abuse
• financial worries or stress
• family or relationship issues
• grief and loss

If you're having a difficult time, it doesn't necessarily mean that your mental health is in danger. But it's worth talking to someone for advice and support to help you get back on track.

How can I improve my mental health and wellbeing?

Ways to support and maintain good mental health include:

• exercising regularly
• eating a healthy diet
• getting enough sleep
• if you're using drugs or alcohol, cutting down or stopping
• talking to and socialising with your friends and family
• relaxing in ways that suit you

Although you can take steps to nurture your mental health, it's very important to seek help and support when you need it. Just like physical illnesses, mental illnesses need to be treated to get better.

Mental health concerns affect many people across all ages, cultures and walks of life.

If your mental health does not improve, see your doctor. They can organise a mental health plan for you. Your doctor can also refer you the appropriate specialists for treatment.

There are many different Australian Mental Health Services available.

Where can I get help if I am feeling suicidal?

If you are in a personal crisis or are feeling suicidal, contact:

• Lifeline — call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online
• Suicide Call Back Service (all ages) — call 1300 659 467

Where can I find support for mental health issues?

There are resources available online, in person, or over the phone that can provide mental health information, support and advice.

Self-esteem

Lack of self-esteem and confidence can affect your mental health.

You can find more advice on improving self-esteem on these websites:

• ReachOut
• Headspace

Relationship issues

Relationship issues with partners, friends and family members can all affect your mental health.

You can get online support and self-help programs through:

• Beyond Blue — peer support forums, including one on relationship and family issues
• Breakup Shakeup — a mobile phone app developed by ReachOut
• e-couch — online programs developed by the Australian National University

Support can also be found by calling:

• Mensline Australia — 1300 78 99 78
• 1800Respect — 1800 737 732
• Relationships Australia — 1300 364 277

Bullying and harassment

Online resources for bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault support include:

• 1800Respect
• Beyond Blue
• Lifeline

Work or study stress

Struggles with work or studying can affect your mental health. You can find resources, support, and self-help activities on the Headspace website.

You can also find advice at Headspace on mental health in the workplace.

Black Dog Institute also offers a range of mental health training programs for the workplace.

Many workplaces offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a confidential support for their employees. It might be worth checking to see if your workplace has this.

Often places of study like schools, universities and TAFE colleges have their own support services. It would be worth checking these out. Or try these resources:

• ReachOut — a quiz for people studying
• Headspace — how to lower stress and prepare for exams

Financial stress

Problems with money can cause stress and have a negative impact on your mental health. There are services and resources available to:

• help you with money management
• provide advice and aid in times of financial difficulty
• help you access a possible crisis payment

Online resources include:

• Money Smart
• Centrelink

If you are struggling financially, you can also access support with needs like food and housing through different organisations such as:

• Ask Izzy
• St Vincent de Paul Society
• The Salvation Army

Substance abuse

Your mental health can be impacted by the use of drugs or alcohol.

To speak with someone about substance abuse and mental health, you can call:

• National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline — 1800 250 015
• Family Drug Support — 1300 368 186

You can find online support at:

• Counselling Online
• Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
• Narcotics Anonymous Australia
• Department of Health and Aged Care on how to quit smoking

Grief and loss

As you move through life, you are likely to experience grief and loss. This can impact your mental health. You can find support through:

• Griefline — 1300 845 745
• Beyond Blue
• Headspace

Where can I find support for mental health conditions?

Support and information on mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can be found online.

Depression and anxiety

• Black Dog Institute
• Beyond Blue
• Understanding Anxiety
• This Way up
• MindSpot Clinic
• BluePages

Personality disorders

Resources for personality disorders are available:

• National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder Australia (NEABPD-Australia)
• Australian BPD Foundation
• ReachOut — support service for young people
• SANE Australia

Trauma and post-traumatic mental health

• Phoenix Australia
• Blue Knot Foundation — recovery from complex trauma

Eating disorders

Support and resources for eating disorders are available:

• National Eating Disorders Collaboration
• Butterfly Foundation

You can also call the Butterfly Foundation helpline on 1800 33 4673.

Additional resources

For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

If you want general mental health support and information, you can visit:

• the Black Dog Institute website for resources, support and self-help tools
• the SANE Australia website, or call on 1800 187 263
• the Beyond Blue website for resources and patient forums

Other languages

If you speak a language other than English, you can visit the Transcultural Mental Health Centre website. There, you can find translated mental health resources in over 40 languages.

Young people

If you are a young person who needs support, there are services available:

• ClearlyMe is an app designed for teens aged 12 to 17 years, providing coping strategies and tools to help with negative thinking, low mood and difficulties relaxing.
• ReachOut.com is a youth mental health service. Visit their website for online help.
• Headspace provides mental health support for those aged 12 to 25 years. Visit their website, call them on 1800 650 890, or make an appointment at your nearest headspace centre.
• Kids Helpline is available for those aged 5 to 25 years. Visit their website or call them on 1800 55 1800.

Parents or guardians

There are mental health resources for parents, carers and guardians. You can:

• call PANDA on 1300 726 306
• visit the COPE website
• visit the Beyond Blue Relationship and family issues peer support forum

Older people

With ageing comes change in your life and physical health. This can impact your mental health. Learn more about older people and mental health.

If you are caring for an older person with a mental health condition, you can visit My Aged Care for support and information.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

You can visit the 13YARN website, or call on 13 92 76, for mental health support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

LGBTIQA+

If you are a member of the LGBTIQA+ community, you can visit:

• the Rainbow Door website to connect to different services
• the QLife Website to speak with someone online, or call on 1800 184 527

People living with disability

• Visit the Disability Gateway website for mental health support for people living with disabilities.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.